Home packed with belongings destroyed by early morning fire

RUTLAND – The home of an elderly woman was destroyed by fire in Rutland this morning. 

Kelowna Fire Department platoon captain Scott Clark says crews arrived to heavy fire at 520 Argyll Road and flames spreading to the car port next door.

"From what I could see the original fire house… looked like it was fully involved," he says. 

He says the fire was larger than usual due to "lots of belongings."

Clark says the homeowner, a woman in her 70s, was treated by paramedics and is in the care of Emergency Social Services.

Linda Neil lives next door and was awoken by a neighbour advising her and her son to get out.

"The whole car port was on fire," she says.

A media release from Kelowna Fire Department calls damage to the original structure "extensive."

"The neighboring property suffered minor damage but lost a vehicle to the blaze," Clark says.

RCMP and Fire Department are investigating the cause of the incident.

– This story was edited 12:30 p.m. Feb. 15, 2017 to remove speculation from a firefighter.

– This story was updated at 2:45 p.m. Feb. 15, 2017 with information from a media release.

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